by Calculated Risk on 12/23/2021 08:34:00 AM

The DOL reported:

In the week ending December 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 205,000, unchanged from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 206,000 to 205,000. The 4- week moving average was 206,250, an increase of 2,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 203,750 to 203,500.
emphasis added

The following graph shows the 4-week moving average of weekly claims since 1971.

Click on graph for larger image.

The dashed line on the graph is the current 4-week average. The four-week average of weekly unemployment claims increased to 206,000.

The previous week was revised down.

Regular state continued claims decreased to 1,859,000 (SA) from 1,867,000 (SA) the previous week.

Weekly claims were at the consensus forecast.